Chapter Summary

Abraham, the friend of God. Promise of the seed renewed. The plea of Sodom.

Discussion Questions for Genesis, Chapter 18

1. At the beginning of Genesis 18, the Lord appears suddenly to Abraham in the form of three men. Do you believe that Abraham identifies these three men as messengers from God or was he trying to be hospitable by offering food and drink? What are the reasons for your answer? Hebrews 13:2 warns us to entertain stranger for some have entertained angels unaware. How should we treat strangers that may come to our house or we met during the day?
2. After he inquires about Sarah, the Lord repeats the prophecy about her giving birth in a year to a son. Giving birth to a child at the age of ninety could have adverse affects on her body, why does God mention this prophecy where Sarah can hear but not address her directly? How has communication between God and woman change throughout the years? Does God only communicate to the wife through the husband? If not what has changed since the time of Abraham and Sarah?
3. Sarah responds the same way that Abraham does after being told they will have a child by laughing about the prophecy since she feels she is too old. Why do Sarah and Abraham have a lack of faith in God's prophecy after having so much wealth? Who has more faith,the elderly or the young? Why?
4. God debates within Himself if he should tell Abraham that He is about to destroy Sodom. Why does God feel the need to tell Abraham what He is about to do after Abraham and Sarah both laugh at the prophecy? Which is more important, our faith towards God or His desire to keep His promises to us? Why?
5. God is omnipotent and omnipresent. However, we have seen times that God comes to earth to see the sin man has committed before passing judgment. We saw this in the Garden of Eden and now we see it here in Genesis 18 when God is going to see if the sins in Sodom and Gomorrah were as great as He believes they are in person. What does the desire to come among man and his sin to pass judgment communicate about God's traits? Is God demonstrating more grace and mercy or wrath when He decides to visit Sodom and Gomorrah?
6. Abraham begins to negotiate with God in Genesis 18:22 for God to spare Sodom for lesser and lesser a number for God to spare Sodom. It appears God continues to change His mind and agrees to save Sodom for lesser and lesser a number. Are we really able to change God's mind about an event based on a prayer or does the omniscient God already know our prayer or status of the situation before He agrees to change?
7. The basis of Abraham's argument in Genesis 18 is that the righteous should not be punished with unrighteous. Jesus later says in Matthew 5:45 that God sends rain on the just and the unjust. Both of these verses speak of the justness of God. How just or fair is God to all people in your mind? How are we to determine righteousness, using man or God's standard? If we use God's standard, when will God be justified to give anyone a blessing?
8. Abraham was finally able to have God agree not to destroy Sodom for only 10 righteous people living in the city. Earlier in Genesis 14 when Abraham saves his nephew Lot from the battle, we find out that Lot lives in or near Sodom. Do you think the only reason Abraham argues to save Sodom is for Lot or do you think to save the entire city? What is your basis of your answer?
9. Why do you think the Lord is being so patient with Abraham when he continues to argue for a lower number of righteous people to save Sodom?
10. What lesson can we learn about prayer from the conversation between Abraham and God? Describe a time that you continually prayed for something or someone. Did God answer the prayer in the way you desired?

Key Words/Phrase

Communion, v. 33.

Characters

God, Sarah, Abraham.

Strong Verse(s)

17, 18.